Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3702, Eli Fowler, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Fowler, Eli
R. 3702
CONTENTS

37.505
Whatever action is taken on the within the Department will please communicate the result to Robert M. Cook Esq. Beaufort Court and oblige
J. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
Very Respectfully Yours A. B. Goldsmith

State of Connecticut } County of New Haven } S s Guilford
On this 2 nd day of April 1847 Personally appeared in Open Court before George Landon Esq r Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford, now sitting Eli Fowler a resident of the Town of Branford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged 80 years, who being duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 Entitled an act Supplementary to an act for the relief of the surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution,
I Eli Fowler of the Town of Branford in the County of New- Haven and State of Connecticut do Solemnly declare that according to my best recollection I was drafted from the Company of my Father Captain Noah Fowler on or about the 10 th day of September A D 1781 to form part of a Company which was made up of men from the Towns of Middletown Durham & Guilford as I then lived with my Father in Guilford. This Company was Commanded by Capt Daniel Norton of Guilford Samuel Lee of Guilford was Lieutenant one Scranton of Durham was the Ensign and a man by the name of Wright of Durham was Serjeant. The Battalion of which this Company was a part was Commanded by Major Isaac Cook of Wallingford we were called out immediately on being drafted to be employed as a Coast guard, and this Company was Stationed in the Town of Guilford near the center to be ready to act on any point when the British might land. for a few days we were billeted on the inhabitants. but afterwards we Drew our provisions regularly and Cooked for ourselves. we remained in these quarters till about the first of January 1782 when we were ordered to the Sea Shore and Stationed there as a guard part at Sachems Head and part, among whom was myself at Seats Island. that we continued there on duty till the latter part of April 1782 when we were discharged and went home, that he does not know the exact day of their discharge and has no means of knowing. as through the lapse of time, and old age, and consequent infirmity, he is unable to recollect the day altho' he is very sure it was after the middle of April 1782

That he has no knowledge of any written document of any kind or description on which his name is entered or enrolled by which he can prove his service. neither is there to his knowledge any persons now living by which he can prove his service except Sarah Handy and John E Stone and Medad Dudley. Capt Daniel Norton removed to the west soon after the war and died and his family are scattered to parts unknown to the deponent. and what disposition was made of his papers, whether they were destroyed or preserved, or if preserved where they are to be found, is also unknown to the deponent. but he further remembers that the name of the adjutant attached to the battalion was, Chittenden of Wallingford. The deponent further declares that he was present at a severe skirmish at Lutt's Island the summer after his discharge in April aforesaid in which Simon Lutt and Ebenezer Hart were killed and James Davis was wounded at which time also the House and barn of Daniel Lutt was burnt and other buildings were set on fire but not burnt down the Enemy being drawn away before they had time to complete the work of destruction. The deponent therefore solemnly declares his full and confident belief that he served at this one time more than seven months. And although he was many times and often called out to answer alarms to repel marauding parties of British and refugees, and suppress illicit trade, yet of those he makes no computation, and found no claim on them - The reason why the deponent has not made earlier application for the benefit of the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 was because he was in comfortable and easy circumstances in life and in no particular need of the money. that the applicants for the bounty of the government were numerous. that the term of his service would entitle him to but a small annual sum that the service was not rendered at the time in view of any pecuniary reward to be received afterwards, and that some of the evidence of his service has but lately come to his knowledge - But that since that time his circumstances are somewhat changed and he feels that the amount due for his service would be a comfort to him and therefore makes this his declaration

for the purpose of obtaining the same. The affidavits of Sarah Ward, John E Stone & Mead Dudley in proof of his service and of the Reverend David Baldwin, Timothy P. Lillie and Messrs Ralph D. Smith and Abrah B Goldsmith of his reputation are herewith transmitted.
John F. Ladd
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written. before me
George Landon Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford
[Faint, mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]
April 1782

State of Connecticut County of New Haven } S s
On this 25 th day of February 1832 before me a Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the district of New Haven in the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Betsy Hodges of New Haven who being duly sworn declares and says that she is the child of Eli Fowler formerly of the town Branford in said County, the celestial person who was a Soldier of the Revolutionary War, and an applicant for a pension from the United States, under act of 7 th June 1832, and whose claim was suspended or rejected; that he died on the 30 th day of September 1830, leaving the following surviving children only viz. Fanny Rogers, Eunice Chittenden, Polly Linsley and Betsy Hodges, and leaving no widow.
That the object of this declaration is to ask that the proofs filed by the said Eli Fowler in the Pension office, during his life time may be examined, and that the amount due at the time of his death may now be allowed to his only surviving children Sworn and subscribed before Betsy F. Hodges On this 25 th day of February 1832
Fred. A. Cornell,
Judge of Probate for the District of New Haven.

State of Connecticut County of New Haven } S S
I Frederick Corwell, Judge of the court of Probate within and for the district of New Haven do hereby certify that it has been satisfactorily proved before me by Respectable and credible testimony that Eli Fowler formerly of the town of Branford in the county aforesaid, was and is reputed to have been a Soldier of the war of the Revolution, and an appli- cant for a pension from the United States Government, that he died on the 30 th day of September 1850 - leaving no Widow, and that Fanny Rogers, Emma Chittenden, Polly Linsley and Betsey Hodges are the children and the only surviving children of the said Eli Fowler,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal of the said court of Probate this 25 th day of February 1852
Fred: Corwell, Judge.

REJECTED
3702
P. O. St. Paul
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____ 10

37505-
Eli Fowler, Conn.
Given to A. B. Goldsmith
May 10. 1847. —
Let it be in W. Bannet & June 52.
3702
Act 7 June 1852.

State of Connecticut } to Probate Court } New Haven County } District of Guilford }
I Noah B Goldsmith clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford and Keeper of the Seal thereof do hereby Certify that George Landon who hath authenticated the declaration of Eli Fowler and the accompanying Certificate of Noah B Goldsmith is Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford and that his Commission bears date the 12 th day of June 1846 and will expire on the 20 th day of June 1847 that he signed said documents in my presence and his signature is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of office on this 15 th day of April 1847
Noah B Goldsmith Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford
"1846" was intended before signing Noah B Goldsmith Clerk of Probate for the District of Guilford

New Haven April 15 th 1847
James L. Edwards Esqr.
Dear Sir, I have been requested by the friends of Gen. Eli Fowler, of Guilford in this County, to state to you something of my knowledge of him — I have known him for more than forty years, as an man of the first respectability & standing in his neighborhood, and his worth as a man of integrity & veracity has always been beyond dispute a question — I have allways heard that he was in the Army of the Revolution, but of course, can only know that fact by hearsay, though I have not the least doubt such is the case.
He has for a few years resided in Branford the town adjoining his native town, and there is not a person acquainted with him, that would not feel the fullest confidence in any statement he might give under oath —
I am Very Respectfully Sir
Your most obedt Servant
Wm H Ellis
late Collector Dist of New Haven
J. L. Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions

I hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with William H Ellis of New Haven who hath made and subscribed the within Certificate he having been associated with me as County Commissioner for New Haven County for the year ending June 20 th 1843. I am well acquainted with his hand writing and have no doubt that the within is his genuine signature.
George Landon Judge of the Court of Probate - District of Guilford

I Noah B Goldsmith of Guilford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged 55 years do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Eli Fowler of Branford who hath applied for a Pension for services rendered in the war of the Revolution. that he is man highly respected by all who know him. that he has represented the Town of Branford in the Legislature of the State of Connecticut and has held the office of Brigadier General in her Militia that he is a man of truth and veracity and further the deponent saith not
Noah B Goldsmith
I do hereby certify that I am well ac- quainted with Noah B. Goldsmith and know the above to be his signature and the facts stated in the certificate I know to be true
George Landon Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford

37505
June 20. 1847
Dr Fowler,
June 7. 1832.
L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D 62.
[Faint, illegible handwriting or bleed-through from the reverse side of the paper]

L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
June 1, 1882.
37505 Office No. 1847 Mr. Foster

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Genl Eli Fowler and consider him a man of strict Truth and veracity                      David Baldwin Minister of Guilford April 15 1847              the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
State of Connecticut } ss Guilford April 15 th 1847. I Abah B Goldsmith a Notary Public in and for the State of Connecticut hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Rev d David Baldwin of this place minister of the Episcopal church. I know his hand writing and that the above is his genuine signature In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal on the day and year above written Abah B Goldsmith Notary Public }

State of Connecticut } New Haven County } ss Guilford I Noah B Goldsmith Notary Public in and for the State of Connecticut do certify that I am acquainted with Rev Timothy P Gillet and know him to be the Pastor of the Congregational Church in Branford in this County I am acquainted also with his handwriting and have no doubt that the Certificate within and the signature are his genuine handwriting Attest my hand and seal of office This 15 th day of April 1847 Noah B Goldsmith } Notary Public }

Branford April 15 th 1827
This certifies that I have been acquainted with Mr. Eli Dyer for almost 40 years. He has long been a regular & useful member of the Church of which I am pastor. In 1816 he was chosen a deacon in the Church and has since officiated as such whenever his health permitted. He has also been long esteemed as an active & useful member of the community.
Timothy P. Gillett Pastor of the Congregational Ch. Branford.
New Haven County ss. Branford April 15 th 1827. Personally appeared Rev. Timothy P. Gillett and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed. Before me Willoughby L. Gay, Justice of the Peace

I Medad Dudley of Guilford in New Haven County and State of Connecticut aged eighty three years do testify and say that I am acquainted with General Eli Fowler of Branford who has made a declaration for the purpose of obtaining a pension for services rendered in the Revolutionary war, and that in the year 1780 in the fall sometime in the month of September according to the best of my recollection he was drafted from his Father's Company Captain Noah Fowler of said Guilford to serve on guard and I was drafted at the same time from the Company of Capt Augustus Collins of the North Parish of said Guilford we were together on duty during the fall and were quartered in the village of said Guilford in the central part till the winter set in when we were sent to the sea side, I to Sachem's Head and he to Seals Island so called I saw him every week all winter I should think we were discharged in the Spring after but I don't recollect the day, my memory being somewhat impaired by age and consequent infirmity, but I should think in the month of April, I have known General Eli Fowler ever since that time and he is a man of truth and veracity and of good reputation and further the deponent saith not
Medad Dudley
State of Connecticut }
New Haven County } ss Guilford April 9 th 1847
Be it remembered that on the day & year above written personally appeared before the subscriber a Notary Public in and for the State of Connecticut duly authorized to administer oaths Medad Dudley who hath subscribed the above certificate well known to me as a man of good reputation for truth and veracity and made solemn oath to the truth of the same. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of office
Alvah B Goldsmith } Notary Public }

I Sarah Handy of Guilford in New Haven County and State of Connecticut aged 96 years do testify and say that I am well acquainted with General Eli Fowler of Branford who hath made the accompanying declaration to obtain a pension for his services rendered in the revolutionary war, and that I well remember that he was on guard at Seets Island all winter in 1781 from about the 1 st of January till near the first of May following. I did the baking bread all that winter for the guard and he was in the habit of coming after it, so that I saw him every week at least and generally oftener, I lived with Deacon Pelatiah Seet, some years in the war time. I well remember the landing of the enemy when Daniel Seets house and barn was burnt, and Ebenezer Hart and Deacon Seets son Simeon were killed, we women fled into the woods a mile or more north of the place where they landed taking the children with us, about the time the firing ceased and the smoke of the burning buildings began to clear away the news came to Simeon Seets wife who with three chil- dren was with us that her husband was mortally wound- ed, and that the British were driven off, Mr Aaron Jones was then going by on horseback with his gun going to the battle from his home about 5 miles north he took Mrs Seet on his horse behind him, he took one child of about four years old before him on the horse and she took one of about two years old in her lap and leaving her babe of about six months old with me. Soon after another man Samuel Robinson Esq coming by on horseback took me and the babe and carried us down to the Island Mr Simeon Seet never spoke after his wife came home though he appeared to know her Eli Fowler was there at that time. Deacon Seet used to furnish Malt and hops and I brewed beer for the guard all through the war for we felt grateful to the men who guarded our houses and lives night and day in heat and cold and ventured their lives to save our lives and we did all we could for them though it was not much, I well remember all the facts above stated as though they took place but yesterday and further the deponent saith not
Sarah Handy

State of Connecticut } County of New Haven } ss Guilford
Be it Remembered That on the 13 th day of April 1847 before the Subscriber a Notary Public in and for the State of Connecticut duly Authorized by Law to administer oaths Personally appeared Sarah Handley well known to me as a person of truth and veracity who hath signed the within affidavit, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same, and I further Certify that altho she is ninety six years of age yet she still retains her faculties and memory with great clearness, and bodily power to walk half a mile to a Neighbors house without being greatly fatigued, that she signed the within in my presence and her signature is genuine In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of office on the day and year above written
Abiah P Goldsmith } Notary Public }

I Timothy Seward of Guilford in New Haven County and State of Connecticut age ninety one years do testify and say that I am acquainted with Eli Fowler of Branford and that in the winter of 1780-1. he served on guard at Set's Island. I was on guard at Sohier's Head the same winter and we saw each other often during the time. I do not know the exact time he was there but think it was all winter. I have known General Eli Fowler ever since the revolutionary war and he is a man of truth and veracity and further the deponent saith not. Timothy Seward
State of Connecticut } New Haven County } ss Guilford
Be it remembered that on this 12 th day of April 1847 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Notary Public in and for the State of Connecticut Timothy Seward who hath subscribed the above affidavit and made solemn oath to the truth of the same that he signed the same in my presence and is well known to me as a man of truth and veracity. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office on the day & year above written.
Abiah B Goldsmith Notary Public duly authorized by Law to administer oaths

37.505
Eli Fowler Con.
Act. J. June '52
1.

I John E Stone of Guilford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged 86 years do testify and say that I saw Eli Fowler who now resides in Branford in said County on guard at Suck Island during some part of the revolutionary war I believe it was in the winter of 1781 but I cannot say certainly and I do not know how long he was on duty there. I have long known him and I believe him to be a man of truth and veracity John E Stone
State of Connecticut } New Haven County } ss Guilford Be it remembered that on the 11 th day of April 1847 Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Notary public in and for the State of Connecticut duly authorized by Law to administer oaths, John E Stone who has Subscribed the above Certificate and made Solemn oath to the truth of the same and I Certify that he is well known to me as a man of strict truth and veracity. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office Alvah B Goldsmith } Notary Public }